Tacoma snow performance

Fair answer...I respect that

 

Tires are whatever comes stock with TRD Sport (Dunlop AT20).

I agree my claim on "fun" is totally subjective, but I am not trying to discredit the truck, I am just not that experienced with driving pickups, and would like to set my expectations moving forward.

My previous two cars were rear-wheel drive muscle cars. The GMC 2500HD wasn't "fun" by nature (too big, engine too weak, stick shift didn't help).

By the comments, it sounds its a combination of things
* crappy tires
* high center of gravity
* lack of weight on rear tires
* lack of my appreciation for high clearance for the trade off of high gravity
* me not being Canadian
* my inability to drive a Tacoma in snow

The last one is "highly subjective", but I'll take a note.

 

Those tires are awful in snow

Burn them in a fire

 

..or nail them to a dock for your boat

 

I would go with the tires mostly.

we have some snow here, like right now.

I dont have weight in the bed of my truck either.

1. I have a set of Goodyear Duratrac's tires. They are an all terrain tire

that is SNOW rated. Have been very happy with these.

2. As soon as the rear end starts to slide around, I put the truck in 4WD.

I have noticed that some people seem to be fearful of using the 4WD.

Then why did you buy it ???

I have been driving like this for years and have not got stuck for years.

If I did it was my own fault !!

 

I think the manual discourages you from using 4WD with scary notes like "increased wear" on the truck.

Thanks to make me look up the tire reviews. I think i thought only the "off road" packaged OEM tires were bad, didn't see as many complaints on the Sport tires.

I'll have to make peace with tires being poor for now, unless we start having nastier winters in VA. Haven't had issues in wet weather yet, but are mostly nasty for snow, ice, and anything else with water.

 

Quite honestly , the manual isn't good at explaing the VSC / Traction Control systems or the 4WD system very well

 

I know, but it also recommends engaging the 4WD monthly to keep components lubricated and working.

Then again, isn't every other part on the truck " wearing " everyday your driving it?

I would have to say the 4WD is the least used part to wear.

 

Ya open diffs are no fun in the snow.


...

 

I have a new 2014 SR5 with the stock tires and have no problems in the snow even with no ballast in the bed. Maybe I just have a good feel for the truck but I only slide when I want to . If it's icy out I put it in 4hi and get to where I'm going.

I don't think the problem is with the tires and the truck is plenty capable.

 

I agree, the truck is plenty capable.

But put a set of Duratrac's on and you would be even more amazed

what the truck could do. Something like this:



The difference is quite noticeable

 

LOL, I have this to slide corners


It does it quite well even when dry with the welded diff and 1UZ V8 swap

 

Where does it say "increased ware"? And of what?

 

I like my truck in deep snow, but generally feel my 09 Outback is more secure in general slippery winter conditions.

 

page 187.
http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM35A10U/pdf/sec_2-4.pdf
discourages using 4wd on dry rd.

 

Tires with the little picture of the mountains on them all seasons don't cut it where it snows and 4" is considered flurries. By the way if you stop by and I haven't plowed bring the Taco not the Subaru.

 

I don't think discourage is the proper word common sense would kind of dictate the use of 4WD if there is no need of it. It also states that you should use 4WD for at least 10 miles once a month, sort of mixed messages.

 

Where is the 'like' button?

When plows make 3' mounds of snow on the sides of roads... i "break trail" for everyone...

 

The stock Taco tires in any flavor are a joke in wet/slick weather . I put a set of Toyo ATII's on mine this summer - our recent sleet/snow made me glad for that decision . Even stomping the brakes on hard packed snow the abs actually works and it stops amazingly well - forward traction is excellent , too .
Sarge

 

Agree with this^. The BFG RT T/A's are for shit on my '13 O/R. What a fuck of a tire to put on a $30k off road package truck. I just ordered Mich LTX AT2's.